Tyrus, born George Timothy Murdoch on February 21, 1973, is a Fox News contributor and former professional wrestler who held the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. He’s best known as a regular panelist on Fox News’s late-night show Gutfeld! and as the host of Maintaining with Tyrus on OutKick.
Early Life and Path to Wrestling
George Murdoch was born in Pasadena, California. Before becoming Tyrus, he started his wrestling career in WWE’s developmental territories, including Deep South Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling. His physical presence at 6’7″ and over 300 pounds made him an imposing figure in the ring from the start.
His wrestling journey began in the early 2000s when he trained to become a professional wrestler. The WWE system recognized his potential and brought him through their development program, preparing him for what would become a multi-decade career in sports entertainment.
WWE Career: From Brodus Clay to The Funkasaurus
Tyrus made his WWE debut during the fourth season of NXT, where rookies paired with established wrestlers as mentors. He appeared on the main roster as Alberto Del Rio’s bodyguard, showcasing his intimidating presence.
In 2012, WWE transformed his character into “The Funkasaurus.” This complete reboot featured him as a fun-loving dancer managed by Naomi and Cameron, known as the Funkadactyls. The character became surprisingly popular with audiences who embraced the contrast between his massive size and entertaining dance moves.
He participated in several WWE storylines and feuds until 2014. During his time there, he went undefeated for a period, teamed with Lord Tensai, and eventually turned heel. His WWE tenure earned him recognition, including a Slammy Award for Best Dancer of the Year in 2012.
TNA/Impact Wrestling Run (2014-2017)
From 2014 to 2017, Murdoch wrestled in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Tyrus. This marked the beginning of using the name that would define his career moving forward.
During his Impact Wrestling tenure, he worked with notable wrestlers including Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud. He served as both a competitor and manager, adding depth to his wrestling character. The company allowed him more creative freedom compared to WWE’s strictly controlled environment.
His time in TNA helped bridge his transition from pure wrestling entertainment to the media personality role he would later embrace. The experience taught him how to work with different production styles and audience expectations.
NWA Championship Success and Retirement
In 2021, Tyrus joined the National Wrestling Alliance where he won the NWA World Television Championship and later the World Heavyweight Championship. His championship reign lasted 288 days, making him one of the most prominent champions in the organization’s modern era.
On August 27, 2023, EC3 defeated Tyrus in a bullrope match at NWA 75, winning the championship and forcing Tyrus to retire from in-ring competition. The career vs. title match marked the end of his active wrestling career.
After his final match, Tyrus stated “Although I’m retiring from in-ring life, I’ll always be a part of the NWA”. He called the retirement “bittersweet” but acknowledged it was time to focus on his media career full-time.
Fox News Career and Gutfeld! Success
Tyrus joined Gutfeld! as a regular panelist in 2016 after another panelist left to pursue acting. His unique perspective as a former wrestler brought fresh commentary to political discussions.
The show airs weeknights on Fox News and has become one of the network’s highest-rated programs. Tyrus’s commentary style combines humor with conservative viewpoints, making him popular with the show’s audience. He brings an outsider perspective to Washington politics that resonates with viewers.
Beyond Gutfeld!, Tyrus serves as a Fox News contributor and hosts Maintaining with Tyrus on OutKick. His OutKick show features interviews and discussions on sports and culture. He also appears as a fill-in host on various Fox News programs when regular hosts are unavailable.
His presence on Fox News has expanded significantly since 2016. He regularly contributes to multiple shows and has become one of the network’s recognizable personalities. The transition from wrestling to political commentary proved successful due to his natural charisma and ability to articulate opinions clearly.
Books and Author Success
Tyrus has authored two books that achieved commercial success. His first book, “Just Tyrus: A Memoir,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022. The memoir shares his life story, from his challenging childhood through his wrestling career and media success.
His second book, “Nuff Said,” released in 2023, continues sharing his perspectives on various topics. Both books showcase his writing ability and connect with readers who appreciate his straightforward communication style.
The books provide deeper insight into his personal philosophy and the experiences that shaped his worldview. They extend his media presence beyond television and podcasting into publishing.
Tyrus & The Wise Men Podcast
The podcast “Tyrus & The Wise Men” features conversations with wrestlers and personalities from his wrestling career. Guests have included Trevor Murdoch, Aron Stevens, EC3, and other wrestling industry figures.
Each episode explores various topics from social media management to parenting challenges. The show offers a more casual, conversational side of Tyrus compared to his television appearances. Listeners appreciate the behind-the-scenes wrestling stories and life advice shared by the panel.
The podcast format allows him to maintain connections with the wrestling community while building his media empire. Episodes drop weekly and are available on major podcast platforms.
Net Worth and Financial Success
Tyrus has a net worth estimated at $2.5 million. His income streams include Fox News contributions, hosting duties, book royalties, and podcast revenue.
His diversified career across wrestling, television, publishing, and digital media created multiple revenue sources. The transition from full-time wrestler to media personality proved financially beneficial as television work provides steadier income than the physically demanding wrestling schedule.
His financial success demonstrates how athletes can successfully transition to media careers by building personal brands. The combination of wrestling name recognition and political commentary skills created unique market value.
Wrestling Style and Signature Moves
During his career, Tyrus utilized his size advantage with power-based offense. His finishing moves included the “ICU Spike” (Asiatic spike) and various versions of running crossbodies depending on his character.
His signature moves featured multiple suplex variations, powerslams, and corner attacks that showcased his strength. The “G-Grip,” a Tongan death grip transitioning into a chokeslam, became one of his most effective maneuvers.
His wrestling style emphasized impact over technical wrestling. Opponents sold his moves as devastating due to his size and power presentation. This style fit perfectly with his various character personas throughout different promotions.
Personal Life and Background
George Murdoch keeps much of his personal life private despite his public career. He resides in Louisiana but travels frequently between New York and Los Angeles for work commitments.
His upbringing in California provided the foundation for his work ethic and determination. The challenges he faced early in life, detailed in his memoir, shaped his perspective on success and personal responsibility.
He maintains active social media presence with over 543,000 Instagram followers. His social media content mixes political commentary, personal updates, and interactions with fans from both wrestling and television audiences.
Impact on Wrestling and Media
Tyrus represents a successful crossover between wrestling and mainstream media. Few wrestlers have transitioned to political commentary as seamlessly as he has.
His presence on Fox News introduced wrestling to audiences who might never watch it otherwise. Conversely, wrestling fans followed him to political commentary, creating crossover viewership. This bridge between entertainment wrestling and news commentary remains relatively unique in media.
His success opened doors for other wrestlers considering media careers after retirement. The path he carved demonstrates that wrestling experience can translate to television success when combined with relevant opinions and communication skills.
Current Projects and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Tyrus continues as a regular on Gutfeld! and hosts his OutKick show. His media presence remains strong with no signs of slowing down.
Future projects likely include potential additional books and expanded media appearances. His established platform provides opportunities to explore new formats and topics as media consumption habits continue to change.
The retirement from wrestling allows full focus on broadcasting and content creation. Without the physical demands of wrestling, he can dedicate more time to developing his media career and potentially mentoring others making similar transitions.
FAQs
Is Tyrus still wrestling in 2025?
No, Tyrus retired from professional wrestling in August 2023 after losing the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship to EC3 in a career vs. title match at NWA 75.
What is Tyrus’s real name?
His real name is George Timothy Murdoch, born February 21, 1973, in Pasadena, California.
How did Tyrus get on Fox News?
Tyrus began appearing on Fox News as a contributor and joined Gutfeld! as a regular panelist in 2016, transitioning from his wrestling career to political commentary.
What championships did Tyrus win?
Tyrus won the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship and NWA World Television Championship. He also won a WWE Slammy Award for Best Dancer of the Year in 2012.
Does Tyrus have a podcast?
Yes, Tyrus hosts “Tyrus & The Wise Men,” a weekly podcast featuring conversations with wrestling personalities and covering various topics from parenting to social media.
Conclusion
Tyrus built a unique career spanning professional wrestling and political media. From his early days as Brodus Clay in WWE through his NWA championship reign to his current role on Fox News, he’s demonstrated adaptability and staying power in entertainment.
His success as both a wrestler and television personality proves that athletes can successfully transition to media careers with the right combination of charisma, opinion, and work ethic. His continued presence on Gutfeld! and other Fox programs ensures he remains relevant in 2025 and beyond.
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